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Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
Remarks to Southern Africa Development Community
Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
New York, New York, September 25, l997
As released by the Office of the Spokesman, New York City
U.S. Department of State

As Prepared for Delivery

Good morning. Thank you all for coming. The timing of our breakfast
could not be more appropriate, preceding as it does this morning's
Security Council ministerial on Africa. While we discuss during
that session what the UN can most effectively do on your continent,
we will bear in mind what you have already done together to improve
the lives of your people.

The SADC began as a crusader for justice in the battle against
apartheid. It has become a leader for development and a model
for stability throughout the region. And it continues to grow
both in effectiveness and numbers. I want to congratulate the
representatives of your two new members, the Seychelles and the
Democratic Republic of Congo.

I want also to express my desire, on behalf of President Clinton
and the United States, to expand our partnership and cooperation
in the months and years to come.

We do, after all, have common economic interests, which we can
advance through increased trade, and through ventures such as
the SADC Trade Protocol Forum we hosted in Washington.

We have a common interest in peace, which we can promote by insisting
on full implementation of the Lusaka Protocols.

We have common humanitarian interests, which we can serve by enhancing
emergency response capabilities within Africa by means that are
open, transparent and tailored to local needs.

We have great respect for what you have accomplished through the
SADC, great interest in doing what we can to assist your future
efforts, and a great desire to continue working and exchanging
views with you concerning the challenges faced by your region
and on matters of global concern.

To that end, I would like to make two proposals for you to consider,
both specific steps to strengthen and formalize our cooperation:

We are considering creating the post of Special Representative
of the Secretary of State to SADC, providing a permanent channel
for us to work together and a focal point for technical assistance
programs. Our present Ambassador to Botswana, Robert Krueger,
would serve in that capacity.

And we suggest establishing a forum for regularized dialogue between
the United States and SADC. By holding formal consultations among
our senior officials, we will be able to consider a wider range
of policy issues and develop a broader range of contacts.